Skimmer during cycle

[gabeedababee]

Should I run my protein skimmer during my cycle? Some sources said to run it some said to not so I would yalls opinion. I ran it for a day just to test and it started making the sticky foam that you see in most skimmers but it was all clear/white(no waste).
Thanks!

 

[Tangdora]

I’d run it but with Cap off or the plug on the cap off with the hose returning all skimmate back to tank. This will allow the skimmer to break in while the cycle is going.

 

[gabeedababee]

I’d run it but with Cap off or the plug on the cap off with the hose returning all skimmate back to running. This will allow the skimmer to break in while the cycle is going.

Sounds good thx

 

[GarrettDie4U]

I'm new also !! I found that keeping my skimmer running keep my PH levels up where there supposed to be . Good Luck !!!

 

[gabeedababee]

I'm new also !! I found that keeping my skimmer running keep my PH levels up where there supposed to be . Good Luck !!!

Thats sm good info, preciate it.

 

[Fish Fan]

I agree with the previous posts, with the one caveat; don't run the skimmer for a few days or so after adding any kind of bacteria-in-a-bottle product to start your cycle. Give those bacteria a chance to "land" on the rocks, sand, and biomedia where you want them to grow. There's no sense in skimming out any bacteria that you add early on. After that, I would run the skimmer for gas exchange and to break in the skimmer. You won't really get that sludgy, brown skimmate unit you have more organics in the system to remove.

 

[gabeedababee]

I agree with the previous posts, with the one caveat; don't run the skimmer for a few days or so after adding any kind of bacteria-in-a-bottle product to start your cycle. Give those bacteria a chance to "land" on the rocks, sand, and biomedia where you want them to grow. There's no sense in skimming out any bacteria that you add early on. After that, I would run the skimmer for gas exchange and to break in the skimmer. You won't really get that sludgy, brown skimmate unit you have more organics in the system to remove.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[MegabiteOG]

Run it. At the very least you’re breaking it in and adding o2. You starting out with dry rock/ sand or live? If dry, run with top off and everything goes back in the tank. If live, I’d run very dry to start out until cycled.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I agree with the previous posts, with the one caveat; don't run the skimmer for a few days or so after adding any kind of bacteria-in-a-bottle product to start your cycle. Give those bacteria a chance to "land" on the rocks, sand, and biomedia where you want them to grow. There's no sense in skimming out any bacteria that you add early on. After that, I would run the skimmer for gas exchange and to break in the skimmer. You won't really get that sludgy, brown skimmate unit you have more organics in the system to remove.

Great point on not skimming out anything that’s being put in there to help the cycle.